Syringes and injectors incorporating mechanical fluid agitation devices

Abstract

A syringe for use with an injector includes a body comprising a distal discharge end, a plunger movably disposed within the body, and an agitation element disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end. A movement mechanism is operably associated with the injector to move the syringe in such a way that the at least one agitation element agitates a fluid contained in the syringe. Preferably, the syringe contains an ultrasound contrast agent that is agitated by the agitation element. An injector system and a method for agitating the contents of a syringe are also provided.

1. A syringe comprising:
 a body comprising a distal discharge end; 
 a plunger movably disposed within the body; 
 at least one agitation element comprising a casing and disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end, the at least one agitation element operable to agitate an ultrasound contrast fluid in the syringe when the syringe is moved to substantially maintain the homogeneity and integrity of the ultrasound contrast fluid without substantially impairing the diagnostic properties thereof; and 
 an annular recess defined in the plunger to accommodate the at least one agitation element. 
 
   
   
     2. The syringe of  claim 1  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density different from that of the fluid contained within the syringe. 
   
   
     3. The syringe of  claim 1  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a solid. 
   
   
     4. The syringe of  claim 3  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density greater than that of the fluid in the syringe. 
   
   
     5. The syringe of  claim 1  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a gas. 
   
   
     6. The syringe of  claim 1 , further comprising a recess defined in the body of the syringe, the recess operable to accommodate the at least one agitation element. 
   
   
     7. The syringe of  claim 6  wherein the recess is defined adjacent to the distal discharge end of the syringe. 
   
   
     8. The syringe of  claim 6  wherein the recess comprises an annular recess. 
   
   
     9. An injector system comprising:
 an injector comprising means for mounting a syringe thereon; 
 a syringe comprising a body having a distal discharge end and means cooperable with the injector means for mounting the syringe on the injector, a plunger movably disposed within the body, and at least one agitation element disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end; and 
 a movement mechanism operably associated with the injector, the movement mechanism operable to move the syringe such that the at least one agitation element agitates a fluid contained in the syringe. 
 
   
   
     10. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the fluid comprises a contrast agent. 
   
   
     11. The injector system of  claim 10  wherein the contrast agent comprises an ultrasound contrast agent. 
   
   
     12. The injector system of  claim 11 , further comprising a control device operably associated with the movement mechanism, the control device operable to control the movement of the syringe induced by the movement mechanism to substantially maintain the homogeneity and integrity of the ultrasound contrast agent without substantially impairing the diagnostic properties thereof. 
   
   
     13. The injector system of  claim 12  wherein the control device is operable to control the intensity and/or frequency of the movement of the syringe. 
   
   
     14. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density different from that of the fluid contained within the syringe. 
   
   
     15. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a solid. 
   
   
     16. The injector system of  claim 15  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density greater than that of the fluid in the syringe. 
   
   
     17. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a gas. 
   
   
     18. The injector system of  claim 17  wherein the at least one agitation element is surrounded by a cover. 
   
   
     19. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the movement mechanism moves the syringe in one or more of circular, partially circular and linear motions. 
   
   
     20. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the movement mechanism moves the syringe in a rotational motion. 
   
   
     21. The injector system of  claim 9 , further comprising a recess defined in the body of the syringe, the recess operable to accommodate the at least one agitation element. 
   
   
     22. The injector system of  claim 21  wherein the recess is defined adjacent to the distal discharge end of the syringe. 
   
   
     23. The injector system of  claim 21  wherein the recess comprises an annular recess. 
   
   
     24. The injector system of  claim 9 , further comprising a recess defined in the plunger of the syringe, the recess operable to accommodate the at least one agitation element. 
   
   
     25. The injector system of  claim 24  wherein the recess comprises an annular recess. 
   
   
     26. The injector system of  claim 9 , further comprising a control device operably associated with the movement mechanism, the control device operable to control the movement of the syringe induced by the movement mechanism. 
   
   
     27. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the movement mechanism comprises a motor. 
   
   
     28. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the movement mechanism comprises an accessory comprising a base, a surface connected to the base via a pivot joint, a motor and a linkage connected between the motor and the base and the surface. 
   
   
     29. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the movement mechanism comprises a vibratory agitator. 
   
   
     30. The injector system of  claim 9  wherein the movement mechanism is connected to the syringe. 
   
   
     31. A method for agitating the contents of a syringe, comprising:
 providing an injector comprising means for mounting a syringe thereon; 
 providing a syringe comprising a body having a distal discharge end and means cooperable with the injector means for mounting the syringe on the injector, a plunger movably disposed within the body, and at least one agitation element disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end; 
 providing a movement mechanism operably associated with the injector, the movement mechanism operable to move the syringe such that the at least one agitation element agitates a fluid contained in the syringe; 
 activating the movement mechanism to move the syringe; and 
 agitating the fluid in the syringe with the at least one agitation element. 
 
   
   
     32. The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the step of deactivating the movement mechanism to terminate the agitation of the syringe contents. 
   
   
     33. The method of  claim 31  wherein the movement mechanism is connected to the syringe. 
   
   
     34. A syringe comprising:
 a body comprising a distal discharge end; 
 a plunger movably disposed within the body; 
 at least one agitation element comprising a gas surrounded by a cover and disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end, the at least one agitation element operable to agitate an ultrasound contrast fluid in the syringe when the syringe is moved to substantially maintain the homogeneity and integrity of the ultrasound contrast fluid without substantially impairing the diagnostic properties thereof; and 
 an annular recess defined in the body or the plunger to accommodate the at least one agitation element. 
 
   
   
     35. The syringe of  claim 34  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density different from that of the fluid contained within the syringe. 
   
   
     36. The syringe of  claim 34  wherein the recess is defined in the body of the syringe adjacent to the distal discharge end thereof. 
   
   
     37. A syringe comprising:
 a body comprising a distal discharge end; 
 a plunger movably disposed within the body; 
 at least one agitation element disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end, the at least one agitation element operable to agitate a fluid in the syringe; and 
 an annular recess defined in the body of the syringe, the annular recess operable to accommodate the at least one agitation element. 
 
   
   
     38. The syringe of  claim 37  wherein the fluid comprises a contrast agent. 
   
   
     39. The syringe of  claim 38  wherein the contrast agent comprises an ultrasound contrast agent. 
   
   
     40. The syringe of  claim 37  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density different from that of the fluid contained within the syringe. 
   
   
     41. The syringe of  claim 37  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a solid. 
   
   
     42. The syringe of  claim 41  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density greater than that of the fluid in the syringe. 
   
   
     43. The syringe of  claim 37  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a gas. 
   
   
     44. The syringe of  claim 43  wherein the at least one agitation element is surrounded by a cover. 
   
   
     45. The syringe of  claim 37  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a casing. 
   
   
     46. An injector system comprising:
 an injector comprising a syringe mounting device; 
 a syringe comprising:
 a body comprising a distal discharge end and an injector attachment device cooperable with the syringe mounting device for mounting the syringe on the injector; 
 a plunger movably disposed within the body; and 
 at least one agitation element disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end; and 
 
 a movement mechanism operably associated with the injector, the movement mechanism operable to move the syringe such that the at least one agitation element agitates a fluid contained in the syringe. 
 
   
   
     47. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the fluid comprises a contrast agent. 
   
   
     48. The injector system of  claim 47  wherein the contrast agent comprises an ultrasound contrast agent. 
   
   
     49. The injector system of  claim 48 , further comprising a control device operably associated with the movement mechanism, the control device operable to control the movement of the syringe induced by the movement mechanism to substantially maintain the homogeneity and integrity of the ultrasound contrast agent without substantially impairing the diagnostic properties thereof. 
   
   
     50. The injector system of  claim 49  wherein the control device is operable to control the intensity and/or frequency of the movement of the syringe. 
   
   
     51. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density different from that of the fluid contained within the syringe. 
   
   
     52. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a solid. 
   
   
     53. The injector system of  claim 52  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density greater than that of the fluid in the syringe. 
   
   
     54. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a gas. 
   
   
     55. The injector system of  claim 54  wherein the at least one agitation element is surrounded by a cover. 
   
   
     56. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the movement mechanism moves the syringe in one or more of circular, partially circular and linear motions. 
   
   
     57. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the movement mechanism moves the syringe in a rotational motion. 
   
   
     58. The injector system of  claim 46 , further comprising a recess defined in at least one of the body of the syringe and the plunger of the syringe, the recess operable to accommodate the at least one agitation element. 
   
   
     59. The injector system of  claim 58  wherein the recess is defined in the body of the syringe adjacent to the distal discharge end thereof. 
   
   
     60. The injector system of  claim 58  wherein the recess is defined in the plunger of the syringe. 
   
   
     61. The injector system of  claim 58  wherein the recess comprises an annular recess. 
   
   
     62. The injector system of  claim 46 , further comprising a control device operably associated with the movement mechanism, the control device operable to control the movement of the syringe induced by the movement mechanism. 
   
   
     63. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the movement mechanism comprises a motor. 
   
   
     64. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the movement mechanism comprises an accessory comprising a base, a surface connected to the base via a pivot joint, a motor and a linkage connected between the motor and the base and the surface. 
   
   
     65. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the movement mechanism comprises a vibratory agitator. 
   
   
     66. The injector system of  claim 46  wherein the movement mechanism is connected to the syringe. 
   
   
     67. An injector system comprising:
 an injector comprising a syringe mounting device; 
 a syringe comprising:
 a body comprising a distal discharge end and an injector attachment device cooperable with the syringe mounting device for mounting the syringe on the injector; 
 a plunger movably disposed within the body; and 
 at least one agitation element disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end; and 
 
 a movement mechanism operably associated with the injector, the movement mechanism operable to rotate the syringe such that the at least one agitation element agitates a fluid contained in the syringe. 
 
   
   
     68. The injector system of  claim 67  wherein the fluid comprises a contrast agent. 
   
   
     69. The injector system of  claim 68  wherein the contrast agent comprises an ultrasound contrast agent. 
   
   
     70. The injector system of  claim 69 , further comprising a control device operably associated with the movement mechanism, the control device operable to control the rotation of the syringe induced by the movement mechanism to substantially maintain the homogeneity and integrity of the ultrasound contrast agent without substantially impairing the diagnostic properties thereof. 
   
   
     71. The injector system of  claim 70  wherein the control device is operable to control the intensity and/or frequency of the movement of the syringe. 
   
   
     72. The injector system of  claim 67  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density different from that of the fluid contained within the syringe. 
   
   
     73. The injector system of  claim 67  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a solid. 
   
   
     74. The injector system of  claim 73  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density greater than that of the fluid in the syringe. 
   
   
     75. The injector system of  claim 67  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a gas. 
   
   
     76. The injector system of  claim 75  wherein the at least one agitation element is surrounded by a cover. 
   
   
     77. The injector system of  claim 67  wherein the movement mechanism is further operable to move the syringe in one or more of circular, partially circular and linear motions. 
   
   
     78. The injector system of  claim 67 , further comprising a recess defined in at least one of the body of the syringe and the plunger of the syringe, the recess operable to accommodate the at least one agitation element. 
   
   
     79. The injector system of  claim 78  wherein the recess is defined in the body of the syringe adjacent to the distal discharge end thereof. 
   
   
     80. The injector system of  claim 78  wherein the recess is defined in the plunger of the syringe. 
   
   
     81. The injector system of  claim 78  wherein the recess comprises an annular recess. 
   
   
     82. The injector system of  claim 67 , further comprising a control device operably associated with the movement mechanism, the control device operable to control the rotation of the syringe induced by the movement mechanism. 
   
   
     83. The injector system of  claim 67  wherein the movement mechanism comprises a motor. 
   
   
     84. The injector system of  claim 67  wherein the movement mechanism comprises an accessory comprising a base, a surface connected to the base via a pivot joint, a motor and a linkage connected between the motor and the base and the surface. 
   
   
     85. The injector system of  claim 67  wherein the movement mechanism comprises a vibratory agitator. 
   
   
     86. An injector system comprising:
 an injector comprising a syringe mounting device; 
 a syringe comprising:
 a body comprising a distal discharge end, an injector attachment device cooperable with the syringe mounting device for mounting the syringe on the injector, and a recess defined therein; 
 a plunger movably disposed within the body; and 
 at least one agitation element disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end, the recess operable to accommodate the at least one agitation element; and 
 
 a movement mechanism operably associated with the injector, the movement mechanism operable to move the syringe such that the at least one agitation element agitates a fluid contained in the syringe. 
 
   
   
     87. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the fluid comprises a contrast agent. 
   
   
     88. The injector system of  claim 87  wherein the contrast agent comprises an ultrasound contrast agent. 
   
   
     89. The injector system of  claim 88 , further comprising a control device operably associated with the movement mechanism, the control device operable to control the movement of the syringe induced by the movement mechanism to substantially maintain the homogeneity and integrity of the ultrasound contrast agent without substantially impairing the diagnostic properties thereof. 
   
   
     90. The injector system of  claim 89  wherein the control device is operable to control the intensity and/or frequency of the movement of the syringe. 
   
   
     91. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density different from that of the fluid contained within the syringe. 
   
   
     92. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a solid. 
   
   
     93. The injector system of  claim 92  wherein the at least one agitation element has a density greater than that of the fluid in the syringe. 
   
   
     94. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the at least one agitation element comprises a gas. 
   
   
     95. The injector system of  claim 94  wherein the at least one agitation element is surrounded by a cover. 
   
   
     96. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the movement mechanism moves the syringe in one or more of circular, partially circular and linear motions. 
   
   
     97. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the movement mechanism moves the syringe in a rotational motion. 
   
   
     98. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the recess is located adjacent to the distal discharge end of the syringe. 
   
   
     99. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the recess comprises an annular recess. 
   
   
     100. The injector system of  claim 86 , further comprising a control device operably associated with the movement mechanism, the control device operable to control the movement of the syringe induced by the movement mechanism. 
   
   
     101. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the movement mechanism comprises a motor. 
   
   
     102. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the movement mechanism comprises an accessory comprising a base, a surface connected to the base via a pivot joint, a motor and a linkage connected between the motor and the base and the surface. 
   
   
     103. The injector system of  claim 86  wherein the movement mechanism comprises a vibratory agitator. 
   
   
     104. A method for agitating the contents of a syringe comprising a body having a distal discharge end, a plunger movably disposed within the body and at least one agitation element disposed within the body between the plunger and the distal discharge end, the method comprising:
 providing a movement mechanism operably associated with an injector to which the syringe is mounted, the movement mechanism operable to move the syringe such that the at least one agitation element agitates a fluid contained in the syringe; 
 activating the movement mechanism to move the syringe; and 
 agitating the fluid in the syringe with the at least one agitation element. 
 
   
   
     105. The method of  claim 104 , further comprising:
 deactivating the movement mechanism to terminate the agitation of the syringe contents. 
 
   
   
     106. The method of  claim 104  wherein the contents of the syringe comprise a contrast agent. 
   
   
     107. The method of  claim 104  wherein the movement mechanism rotates the syringe. 
   
   
     108. The method of  claim 104  wherein the syringe further comprises a recess defined in at least one of the body of the syringe and the plunger of the syringe, the recess operable to accommodate the at least one agitation element. 
   
   
     109. The method of  claim 108  wherein the recess is defined in the body of the syringe adjacent to the distal discharge end thereof. 
   
   
     110. The method of  claim 108  wherein the recess comprises an annular recess. 
   
   
     111. The method of  claim 104  wherein the movement mechanism is connected to the syringe.